Earliest date in my own collection is November 1889 (L 11 89) by Munitionsfabrik Lorenz, Karlsruhe (later DWM Karlsruhe). Earliest reported and confirmed in my own records from Lorenz is October 1889 (L 10 89)
These are both Platzpatronen, as is L 12 89, also reported and confirmed.

The absolute earliest date reported and confirmed shown in records I have is an empty case from the K